Brassiere



E. GERACE May 21, 1946.

BRASSIERE Filed AprilA 50,' 1942 ,arme/viv Patented` May 21, 1946 UNITED BmissIRE Elvira. Gerace, Brooklyn, N. Y., assigner toMilady Brassiere & CorsetCo. Inc., New York, N. Y.

Application April 30, 1942, Serial No. 441,150

9 Claims.

This invention relates to brassires and the like garments.

An object of my invention is to provide a garment of the character described which shall effctively support vthe breasts and at the same time `be adjustable to position and modify the contour of the breast to suit the wearer.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a garment of the character described .which is readily adjustable to accommodate the breasts of the wearer and yet will gently receive and,y keep the breasts in` pockets provided in the support. Y

An additional object of my invention isrto pro-r vide a garment of the character described havingV separate means for raising the breasts and positloning the points thereof.

Yet another object of my invention is to pro vide a garment of the character described which shall "comprise relatively few and simpler'parts, be economical to manufacture, easy to don and comfortable to wear.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed o'ut.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the claims. y y

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention and wherein like numbers refer to likev parts throughout, f

Fig. l is a perspective view showing a brassire embodying my invention on the wearer; i

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of a lportion of the brassire with parts thereof broken away to show the several adjustable supporting means;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view 'similar to Fig` 3, but with one o f the adjustable supporting means detached; and

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the brassire.

Referring nowto4 thevdrawing, I0 denotes a brassire embodying my invention andcomprising a plurality of panels I2, I4, I6, I8 and 20. Said panels are attached to each other by stitching and are all substantially of the same height, with the exception of the central panel I6. The end panels I2 and 20 have their free transverse edges 22 and 24 provided withhooks 26 and eyes 28, and are shaped and fashioned in such manner that whenthe'hooks and eyes are attached,l said panels will conjointly form a band lwhich firmly embraces the chest.. The several panels may lbe made l:from flexible non-elastic fabric..,or any one or more of the panels may be madewholly of elastic material with elastic inserts. I.

In the inset formed by the side panels I4 and I8 and the central panel I6, there is stitched a pair of panels 30 and 32, each of which has a plurality of'tucks 34 for imparting" a cupped prole thereto. Said panels 30, 32 are secured to each other along a vertical line atl the center of the brassire.V

In accordance with my invention, each cupped panel 3l), 32 is provided with an inner inelastic supporting panel 36 which is stitched toy the cupped panel along its opposite transverse ,edges andA lower horizontal edge, to form a pocket in which a breast is adapted to be received. The supporting panels 36 are specially constructed and shaped to give a rm but gentle uplifting support to the breasts and to prevent the breasts from being inadvertently displaced as long as the garment is worn. To this end, each of said panels comprises two coinciding fabric layers Se and 4I) (see Fig. 3) which are vertically and centrally nipped in at 42 to provide a support for the underside of a breast near the rib cage. The upper edge of each supporting panel 36 has a deep central arcuate cut-out portion 44. The shape of each cut-out portion 44 is such and same is so positionedrelative to the panels ISI- 2Q that it, will substantially encircle the base of a wearers breast. Tabs 46 project from the upper corners of the supporting panels 36, the inner edges of said tabs lying along the ends of the arcuate indentations 44 so that pairs of tabs on a panel 36 extend upwardly and inwardly at such an angle that if projected they would intersect near the top of a cupped section 30, 32.

Two similar inelastic shoulder straps 48 are provided whose rear ends are permanently secured, as by stitching, to the rear panels I2 and The front ends of said shoulder straps are bifurcated to form two arms 50 and 52 relatively disposed at an angle substantially equal to the angle between a Ypair of tabs 46. Each arm 56, 52 is designed to cooperate with one of the tabs 46, the arm 50 cooperating with a tab 46 disposed near' a side panel I4, I8 and the arm 52 cooperating with a tab 46 disposed adjacent the center of the brassire. Arm 52 is made longer than arm 50 for a purpose which will soon be apparent. y n Means vis provided for detachably and adjusta-bly securing the tabs 46 to their cooperating arms 55, 52. Such means may comprise a series of holes d on each of the arms 50, 52 and a hook 5t at the end of each of the tabs 45. Similarly, provision is made by the series of holes 51 and hooks 58 secured to the top of each section 30, 32 for adjustably and detachably securing the shank of a, shoulder strap 4S to the top of a cupped section 30, 32.

Preferably, the series of holes 54 and 51 arel arranged as shown in the drawing to meet at a common point.

In use, the brassire is first disposed around the chest and the hooks and eyes 24, 2'6 engaged to nrmly position the support on the wearer. The breasts are then introduced into the pockets formed by the cupped sections 30, 32 and inner supporting panels The position of the left breast at this time is illustrated in Fig. l. The hooks 5@ on each tab d8 are now engaged with a hole 54 in a corresponding arm 5G, 52. The proper holes tid are chosen to cause the central portion of the panels 36 to engage with the under part of the breast adjacent the ribs and lift up the breast to a desired degree. This, While substantially lifting and thereby giving support to the breast, will not greatly afect the position of the point. The position of a breast after the arms 5B and 52 have been attached is shown at the right hand side of Fig. 1 and in Fig. 4. Due to the length of the arms 52, the separation of the breasts may be varied Within a wide range. Also, after the arms 5D, 52 have been attached to the tabs 65, said arms will cooperate with the arcuate indentations in the panels 3E to form complete circles which circumscribe the bases of the breasts.

Finally, the hooks 5% at the top of the cupped sections 36, 32 are attached to holes 5'! in the Shanks of the shoulder straps liti, the proper holes Si being chosen to secure the desired effect. The attachment of these hooks will raise the points of the breasts and flatten the latter in accordance with the w'earers desire, but Will not substantially affect the uplift of the breasts secured ey the supporting panels Attaching the hooks 5i! will also smooth out any wrinkles or creases in the cupped sections 3d, 32 which may have been formed during the attachment of the hooks 5d while raising the breasts. The eiiect of attaching the hooks 58 may be seen by comparing Fig. 4 wherein the hook 58 is unattached with Fig. 2 wherein said hook has been attached.

The construction above described may, of course, be embodied in corsets, foundations and slips having brassire tops, and wearing apparel such as bathing suits, sweaters and dresses having built-in brassires.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a garment in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is, to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, -I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A garment of the character described comprising a pair of cupped sections, shoulder straps for supporting said cupped sections, panels underlying the bases of said cupped sections and forming with said sections pockets to receive a Wearers breasts, each of said panels having a deep arcuate indentation therein adapted to substantially closely circumscribe the base of a Wearers breast, the portions of said panels adjacent opposite ends of said indentations being free of said cupped sections, and means to support said panels at said portions directly from said shoulder straps, said means cooperating with said panels to define apertures completely and closely circumscribing the breasts.

2. A garment of the character described comprising a pair of cupped sections, shoulder straps for supporting said cupped sections, panels underlying the bases of said cupped sections and forming with said sections pockets to receive a wearers breasts, each of said panels having a deep arcuate indentation therein adapted to substantially circumscribe the base of a. wearers breast, the portions of said panels adjacent opposite ends of said indentations being Vfree of said cupped sections, and converging means to adjustably support said panels at said portions directly from said shoulder straps.

3. A garment of the character described comprising a pair of cupped sections, shoulder straps for adiustably supporting.r said cupped sections, panels underlying the bases of said cupped sections and forming with said sections pockets to receive a wearers breasts, each of said panels having a deep arcuate indentation therein adapt-v means to adjustably support said panels at said portions directly from said shoulder straps.

4, A garment of the character described comprising a pair of cupped sections, panels underlying the bases of said cupped sections, means to secure said panels and said sections on the chest of the wearer, shoulder straps, means for adjustably supporting the tops of said cupped sections from said shoulder straps, and separate means unaiected by adjustment of said last named means for adjustably supporting spaced points on said panels from said shoulder straps.

5. A garment of the character described comprising a pair of cupped sections, panels underlying the bases of said cupped sections, means to secure said panels and ysaid sections on the chest of a wearer, a pair of shoulder straps, one end of each of said shoulder straps being permanently secured to said means at the rear of the wearer, means on each of said cupped sections, and a series of cooperating means on each of said shoulder straps for detachably and adjustably supporting the top of a cupped section from a corresponding shoulder strap, and means on each of said panels and a cooperating series of means on each of said shoulder straps for detachably and adjustably supporting spaced points on a panel from a corresponding shoulder strap independently of the adjustment of the means for supporting said cupped sections.

6. A garment of thecharacter described comprising a pair of cupped sections, panels under-V lying the bases of said cupped sections, means to secure said panels and said sections on the chest 0f a wearer, a pair of shoulder straps, one

end of each of said shoulder straps being permanently secured tofsaid means at the rearA of the` on a panel from a corresponding shoulder strap independently of the means for supporting said cupped section, all of said series of means being f means on each of said cupped sections and a y series of cooperating means on each of said shoulder straps for detachably and adjustably supporting the top of a cupped section from a corre- 1 sponding shoulder strap, and a pair of means on each of said panels and a pair of cooperating series of means on each of said shoulder straps for detachably and adjustably supporting spaced points on a panel from a corresponding shoulder strap independently of the means for supporting said cupped section, said three cooperating series of means being linearly arranged, relatively angularly disposed, and meeting each other at a common point.

of said arcuate indentation, from a'. shoulder strap, said cooperating series of means on said shoulder straps being disposed substantially longitudinally of said arms, and means on each of said cupped sections and a cooperating series of means on each of said shoulder straps for inelas tically, detachably and adjustably supporting the top of a cupped section from a shoulder strap, said last named cooperating series of means being disposed substantially longitudinally of said shoulder straps near said arms. Y v

9. A garment of the character described comprising a pair of cupped sections, panels underlying the bases of said sections, said panels having deep arcuate indentations therein, said panels being of double thickness and vertically nipped in below said indentations and adapted to substantially encircle the bases of a wearers breasts, tabs on said panels extending upwardly and inwardly from opposite ends of said indentations, means to secure said sections and said panels on the chest of the wearer, a pair of shoulder straps, one end of each yof said straps being attached to said means at the rear of the wearer, the

other end of each of said straps being bifureated i to provide a pair of arms relatively disposed at 8. A garment of the character described comprising a pair of cupped sections, panels underlying the bases of said sections, said `panels having deep arcuate indentations therein adapted to substantially encircle the breasts of a wearer, means to secure said panels and said sections on the chest of the wearer, a pair of shoulder straps having one end thereof attached to said means at the rear of the wearer, the other ends of said shoulder straps being bifurcated to form two angularly diverging arms, means on each of said panels and a cooperating series of means on the arms of each of said shoulder straps for inelastically, detachably and adjustably supporting tw'o spaced points of a panel, on opposite sides an angle equal to the angle between the tabs on vsaid panels, means on each of said tabs and a cooperating series of means on each of said arms for -detaehably and adjustably supporting a pair of spaced points onV opposite sides of said indentations from said shoulderstraps whereby to adjustably support the underside of a breast near ELVIRA GER/ACE. 

